What Athletic Achievement Can Teach About Ethics

Abstract

Athletic achievement exemplifies the nature of classical ethical virtue. Aristotelian virtue grows from self-mastery combined with intentionally learned skills of practice and striving with others to achieve a common purpose. Virtue expresses itself through judgment and action that flow from the integration of cognitive, emotional, perceptual, physical and relational attributes into pattern recognition and coordinated activity to achieve a purpose Athletic excellence embodies such integrated judgment and action. Personal, professional and athletic achievement all express similar structural virtues. Such intentional and virtuous action grows not only from self-discipline but self-knowledge and the cognitive commitment to study, learn, and master complex skills. It manifests as the integrated cognitive, emotional and physical ability to sacrifice and overcome obstacles. Athletic excellence further requires serious commitment to social community and its norms. Athletic achievement demonstrates how virtues such as self-mastery, sacrifice, courage, truthfulness, curiosity and learning, and honor and loyalty among others unite to support high levels of professional excellence. As a form of virtue, athletics possesses ethical worth that deserves respect and emulation.